Liverpool FC legend Terry McDermott believes Luis Suarez should have the final word on whether he stays at Anfield.

The club’s American owners, chief executive Ian Ayre and manager Brendan Rodgers have been locked in talks over how best to handle the fall-out from the Uruguayan’s latest disciplinary shame.

His four-month ban from all football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup has massive implications for the Reds as he’s set to miss the first 13 matches of next season.

The 27-year-old’s Anfield future was already the subject of speculation and that has intensified in the wake of FIFA’s verdict.

McDermott says Liverpool’s next move should depend on the wishes of the player himself.

If Suarez wants to stay and is prepared to accept the professional help he clearly needs then the three-time European Cup winner would welcome him remaining on Merseyside.

However, if the prolific striker decides he wants a transfer then McDermott doesn’t believe Liverpool should fight to keep him – even if that means accepting a knockdown fee from either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

“Liverpool are by far a better team when he is in it, and anyone who argues otherwise is kidding themselves.

“Me? I would ask him outright ‘do you want to play for Liverpool?’. If the answer is yes, then you help him and try to rehabilitate him.

“But if the answer is no, then I would say let him go. I know that won’t be a popular thing to say to a lot of Liverpool supporters, but the club is far bigger than any one player.

“We have all seen the stories that have come out in the last few days. They are very similar to the ones we saw last year when he was trying to get a move.

“It’s just my opinion, but I would put the ball back into his court. ‘Do you want to stay or not?’ If not, then try and get the right deal for the club and move on.”

Terry McDermott Pics Action Images

The Uruguayan FA have launched an appeal after branding the ban “excessive” but McDermott insists Suarez, who has bitten three players in less than four years, can have no complaints about the unprecedented punishment.

“I don’t think the ban is particularly harsh,” McDermott added.

“I mean let’s face it he’s had enough warnings about that kind of behaviour. This is the third time he’s done it.

“Whatever people may say about the incident, he did bite the lad. It’s clear to see.

“It is such a bizarre thing to bite someone. I’ve never encountered anyone who has had that kind of problem.

“But we’ve seen down the years that geniuses, and that’s what Suarez is, tread a fine line.

“Look at George Best and Paul Gascoigne, geniuses with the ball, but never far from controversy and self-destruction. It’s nothing new.

“Part of me feels sorry for him, I have to say. He will have been devastated after the game, trying to comprehend what he’d done.

“His reputation is in tatters again, and regardless of whether you think that’s important or not, it is not nice for anyone to get that kind of stick.

“But he has no-one to blame but himself. As I said, he’s had enough warnings about his behaviour.”

If Suarez did move on this summer there would be a gaping void for Rodgers to fill.

The prolific frontman produced the best form of his career last term – netting 31 league goals en route to winning the Golden Boot and being crowned Footballer of the Year.

But McDermott, who scored 81 goals for the Reds in 329 appearances between 1974 and 1982, says Liverpool can’t allow that talent to cloud their judgement if the player is determined to quit English football.

“If the player doesn’t want to be there, you have to act,” he said.

“It has always been this way, even with a Kevin Keegan or a Graeme Souness. When they said they wanted to leave, it was best for Liverpool to let them do so.

“It’s sad because Luis Suarez gave great service to Liverpool last season. I love watching him play as I am sure everybody does.

“He deserved all the accolades that came his way last season, but he deserves to be criticised for his actions here. You can’t keep crossing the line like he does.”

All the controversy and the subsequent ban is bound to reduce the size of the offers tabled for Suarez’s services this summer.

But McDermott doesn’t believe it will put off the Spanish giants completely.

“The ban will have an impact on the kind of deal Liverpool are able to get. It has to affect the player’s value if he’s missing for months,” he said.

“But it is only two months of the season. Suarez is 27, and has a lot of football left in him in the future.

“Spain’s season starts later than England’s, so the effect is slightly lessened.”

He added: “If Barcelona or Real Madrid want their man, really want him, they will get him. We’ve seen it happen many, many times before.”

McDermott has been out of football since February when he parted company with Birmingham City where he was assistant manager to Lee Clark.

The 62-year-old vastly experienced coach is in no rush to get back into it and is likely to be a regular visitor at Anfield next season.

“I went back to Anfield for the last three home games of last season, doing some work in the hospitality lounges, and I have to say I’ve really enjoyed it,” McDermott said.

“It’s funny because I don’t get too many chances to go back.

“I think the last time I’d been back before that was when I was with Newcastle, and that must have been seven or eight years ago.

“It’s still ‘my’ club, and I enjoyed the atmosphere, speaking to fans and seeing all the ex-players, the likes of Jimmy Case, Davie Johnson, Alan Kennedy, Ian Rush, Didi Hamann, it was great.”